Cops have arrested five men after raiding an alleged 'Breaking Bad' crystal meth lab in a seaside town.

Detectives searched four addresses in Weston-super-Mare and seized what are alleged to be large quantities of chemicals for the production of the highly-addictive Class A drug.

They also seized equipment and a 'lab' contained within a box and said evidence of methamphetamine production was found at two of the addresses.

The men, aged 38, 34, 40, 37 and 45, were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug.

Methamphetamine is one of the most dangerous and addictive Class A drugs. It is widely known across the UK after featuring in hit TV series Breaking Bad.

It tells the story of Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer at the beginning of the series. He turns to a life of crime, producing and selling methamphetamine, in order to secure his family's financial future.

It is extremely rare for officers to discover production of the drug in the UK. Only six police forces in England have reported discovering methamphetamine production.

Avon and Somerset Police said it was alerted to a laboratory in the town via a local intelligence network which sees the police working in partnership with health authorities.

Avon and Somerset's Drug Strategy Manager Paul Bunt said: "We have always treated this drug extremely seriously. Not only is it hugely addictive the production of it is a highly dangerous process.

"It is very rare to come across the production of methamphetamine in this country let alone in our force area.

"However due to the successful relationship we have with the health authorities we were able to act swiftly so it did not reach our streets.

"We have seen the devastating impact this drug has had in America, Australia and South Africa and must do everything in our power to prevent it becoming common place in the UK."